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Feb 9, 2015

NFL Top Free Agents and Signings: OL

As NFL teams prepare for the opening of free agency March 10, TSN.ca takes a look at the top free agents at each position. Today the offensive linemen, headlined by Brian Bulaga and Rodney Hudson, is tackled.

Bryan Bulaga

Offensive Tackles

Bryan Bulaga
Bryan Bulaga

Age: 26

Once an injury-riddled first round pick, Bulaga rebounded from missing the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL by starting a career-high 15 games in 2014. Bulaga anchored the right side of the Packers offensive line, which saw league MVP Aaron Rodgers sacked 28 times and Eddie Lacy rush for over 1,100 yards. Rodgers called re-signing Bulaga a 'top priority' for the Packers.
Doug Free
Doug Free

Re-signed with Cowboys (three years, $15 million)

Free started 11 games in 2014 for the Cowboys, whose offensive line led the way for league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray. With Free sidelined for five games due to injury, backup Jeremy Parnell filled his role. Cowboys' vice president Stephen Jones said the team hopes to keep one of the two. Parnell will turn 29 this summer.
King Dunlap
King Dunlap

Re-signed with Chargers (four years, $28 million)

Heading into the 2014 season, Dunlap was considered an injury risk after suffering two concussions in 2013. However, Dunlap rebounded to start all 16 games at left tackle for the San Diego Chargers in 2014. He signed with the Chargers in free agency prior to the 2013 season.
Derek Newton
Derek Newton

Re-signed with Texans (five years, $26.5 million)

Newton enjoyed the best season of his career at right tackle for the Texans in 2014 and is set to hit the open market after two full 16-game seasons. Newton was a seventh-round draft pick in 2011.

Guards

Mike Iupati
Mike Iupati

Age: 28

A Pro Bowler in three consecutive seasons, Iupati is likely the top guard on the market this offseason. The left guard missed one game in 2014 due to a concussion.
Orlando Franklin
Orlando Franklin

Age: 27

Having started games in at right tackle and left guard across four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Franklin is the most versatile lineman on the market. After spending his first three NFL seasons at right tackle, the 2011 fourth-round pick kicked inside to guard in 2014 and again found success.

Centres

Rodney Hudson
Rodney Hudson

Age: 26

Coming off a strong 16-start 2014 season, Hudson is looking to make himself the league's highest paid centre. According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Hudson is looking for a contract with a value of $7 million a year, which would top Bills' centre Eric Wood's $6.3 million average. With the Chiefs up against the salary cap already, Hudson will likely don a new jersey in 2015.

Stefen Wisniewski
Stefen Wisniewski

Age: 26

Wisniewski and the Oakland Raiders failed to agree on a contract during the regular season, leaving the centre free to test the open market this offseason. Wisniewski has started all but three games for the Raiders since 2011 and, according to ESPN, is expected to seek $3 million per year.